Happy Birthday to Graham and Thomas! Have a great time celebrating and don't let anyone give you a birthday/Christmas gift. You get one for your birthday and one for Christmas.
Tom, that roof panel story sounds awful. Did the professional come? Is your heat working?
We're still waiting for the plumber. He's supposed to come btwn 9 and 11. We were able to turn the water back on, but only the cold. The leakage in the basement wasn't too terrible and stayed confined to the unfinished side. We pushed most of it into the drain next to the washer. It's pretty much dry now. When we bought the house we made the sellers purchase a one year home warranty policy, so any repairs are SUPPOSED to be covered under the policy. We'll see.
Happy Birthday Thomas You'll have fun, I promise Ask your Mom for a cake One that she has to bake. Ask Peter for your presents, then go and shoot some pheasants! (with your Dad)
Happy Birthday Graham! happy for you, I am! Blow out candles with Danny have fun, don't fall on your fanny!
Emily, your home warranty paper should be in with all your closing papers, just call and ask if your water heater is covered...it may be just for repairs and not replacement...if so, just make the guy reapir it (cause he may try to talk you into a new one).
Well, we did get a new water heater. The old one was 21 years old. While the plumber was working, some pipe broke so that had to be repaired. We had to pay $169 for a disposal fee and permit fee and some other fee, but that's not too bad for a brand new water heater. Now I've got a fresh pool of water on the floor form the broken pipe I have to deal with. And I am supposed to be packing because we're going to Fremont tomorrow.
Mike and I and our friends Barrie and Marie Parker are going to be "in charge" of giving out family care pgks. for Christmas tonight (from the Care Team)...there will be 125 families in to pick up their booty...I think that's alot, altho it's for the whole county...maybe I can score a turkey or terduckin!
You need to have your Uncle Joe as a guest columnist so he can relate the story of the dogs your parents had inherited while living on an acreage near Emmetsburg. These beasts were small scurvy mutts. They did something to a pig that was Steven Kingesque to a pig. At least I'm sure it was Steven Kingesque for the pig.
2: I know the poet who will read at the inauguration
3: I leave for Mexico on the morn. Merry Christmas to all and to all a go a waissaling!
4: Des very funny! I didn't know about the dead cat. I thought that your mom was called "Anti-wolfdog." Perhaps you were just taking literary liberties.
Happy belated birthday, Tom and Graham! I posted a couple times and forgot to wish you a good one - hope they were great.
We went to Emma and Mary's piano recital Saturday morning, held in the Lutheran church basement. They each played a solo (Mary was singing the words as she played) and they played a duet together. Emma made a lovely curtsy as people clapped. They were very cute.
In regard to the latest Straub poll...we are headed to Mason City this morning. We're going to get it all done in one shot. We expect some big deals. We will eat at a large fast casual chain (the kids like them) but I will lobby hard against Crapplebees. Why pay for junk?
How do you feel about Ruby Tuesdays, Fridays, Chilis? I think Applebee's thinks they're still the only eclectic casual dining chain in town.
Who's coming home for Christmas and when?
Stevo and I were done Christmas shopping about a week ago, except for just one more gift. We still need to get that just one more gift. But everything else is wrapped and under the tree. Maybe today.
Wow - I didn't check the Cedes Prayer Pages all weekend and all of a sudden she's home! I got tears in my eyes. I don't even know this kid. But thank God.
Yes, we did all our shopping in "one fell swoop." We ate at Buffalo Wild Wings...okay food...but, a fun time together. I am very happy with all we selected. The 3 boys will each receive...one PS2 game, one book, one movie, underwear (what's Christmas without underwear?) and Donny is getting an antique gum ball machine (he likes to chew) and Eli and Liam a "Lord's of the Rings" Risk game...for them all to share. We have lots-o-stocking-candy and chapstix for the three of 'em and Liam and Donny get 2008 matching Teddy Bears and Eli gets a Colts Bear. Santa is giving them a wii system...I called a bunch of stores and they were sold out. So, Santa got them some of the components and will give them $$$ to get a system once it comes in. My Aunt Mary gave me $100 last month for Eli and Liam. In light of Donny coming here...I split it up three-ways and they all get a K-Mart gift card...Aunt Mary will like this. We got Uncle Don a gift from Donny...a black 4 qt crock pot...cool. I am excited to wrap tomorrow. More excited for Donny to come on Thursday! :-)
I give Wild Wings a 7 out of 10 rating. This rating is for it's niche in the overall industry. Mostly for it's pricing on the kids meals (only $4) and the the dozens of tv's. The food was just all okay. But at least unlike Applebees you are not forced to look at fake memorabilia while chomping on over priced food - there are tv's within all sight lines with sports on. That at least is better than a fake Cagney movie poster dangling in your booth.
I had wings. So, so I thought. Their schpeel, as it were, is the choice of a dozen or so sauces you can have on your wings. Big deal. They don't even toss the wings in the sauce. They are just squirted with the sauce. I like lots of messy sauce on my wings.
But it's reasonably priced and the kids liked it. I guess I did too. So we'll go back.
I just reread my post. Just to clarify, my 7 rating is for it's niche in the fast casual sector of the industry.
One thing that bothers me is when a server kneels or squats next to your table when talking with you. Our server did that on one occasion. Also, he called me "Bud" which is annoying but not as bad as some of the things I've been called.
The Railway in CB has yummy wings. I think we're getting a Buffalo WW soon. Maybe it can go next to the new Hooters (still disgusted) 20 for Christmas Eve Eve dinner tonight - because Joe has to work tomorrow and Christmas. I think about 10 meats and Joe has been dispatched to Stoysich for sausage and to St. Stanislaus for Oplatki. Maybe a veggie or two. Tomorrow we plan to have spagetti and meatballs in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the north, and Christmas day we'll have bean soup and potato soup. I have made it through an entire Christmas season without going to Walmart. If there's not one in your town you may not appreciate this herculean accomplishment. I did go to Hobby Lobby, though. The red hurricane lanterns are lovely.
Tom, I hate Applebees, too. Students here that come from smaller towns are obsessed with it, along with Old Chicago. Old Chicago is still better, but not a "fancy restaurant" like many here would like to think. Another thing that amazes me is how much bacon is on stuff, especially at Chilis! Seriously, on everything. I don't like bacon, so we I asked for no bacon on my burger, the waiter was dumbfounded.
Thanks for the dog boarding help, Mary. And thanks for the suggestion to Holmes Animal Clinic last week, Tom and Nance. We have a doggy hotel reservation at the vet in Algona.
Just as Ryan and Grace were getting ready to load their van to come here, someone broke into it and stole Ryan's wallet, checkbook and $350 cash. They're coming anyway, after making all the requisite phone calls. Fortunately, they hadn't yet loaded their Christmas presents.
What a feast at the Jayjack's last night: ham, lamb, turkey, two kinds of sausage, kapusta, pierogie, broccoli bake, and on and on...
We all had such fun, although as always, I had a hard time getting through the platke.
Oscar and Ellen gave thier presents to Emma and Mary: An overnight sleeping bag and make-up. Mary has her makeup kit with her today at work with me! Emma was so excited to sleep with her sleeping bag (and her doll katheryne in her own bag) that she was jumping up and down last night.
Thanks to all the Jayjacks for a fun and yummy night!
We returned from Fremont last night around 8 and discovered Sam had a temp nearing 104. WE gave him tylenol which he puked up 15 min later. He must have ingested some though because his fever came down to around 101. We were up all night with him. TOday he is feeling much better. Maybe a low grade fever but no vomit. My question is - will we make everyone sick if we come tomorrow? Like I said, Sam is doing ok and none of the rest of us feels sick.
We're coming. If we have to quarantine ourselves in the cottage, we will. Maybe someone would be brave enough to bring us our presents and a plate of spag and deliver our presents.
The debate over religious displays in the Illinois Capitol's rotunda took a farcical turn this week when a student at a Lake Forest boarding school put up an aluminum pole to honor Festivus.
For those in the dark, Festivus is a mock holiday popularized by a 1997 episode of "Seinfeld." The pole is a Christmas tree-like symbol, and semi-ironic celebrations of Festivus, usually observed on Dec. 23, include such traditions as the "Airing of Grievances" and the "Feats of Strength."
Michael Tennenhouse, 18, said he was home in Springfield on winter break, taking in impeachment hearings at the Capitol, when he came across a nativity scene, a menorah and an atheist group's display in the rotunda. The exhibits have stirred up controversies, all of which struck Tennenhouse as silly.
"This is grown adults arguing about something nobody could really prove," he said. "Religious displays should not be in public buildings."
So Tennenhouse filled out an application to put up the Festivus pole ("the lady burst out laughing"), which was approved the same day.
Tennenhouse found a blue aluminum pole (Festivus poles are to be "unadorned") that was part of a pool skimmer and stuck it in a Christmas tree holder.
Dan Zanoza, chairman of the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee, said the state's decision to allow the pole was "unfortunate."
"Festivus is nothing—it means nothing, it represents nothing," he said. "At least the atheist sign had a viewpoint."
44 comments:
Happy birthdays! How are you celebrating?
Happy birthday to both of you! I hope the weather cooperates for whatever festivities you have planned.
Pat
Happy Birthday to Graham and Thomas! Have a great time celebrating and don't let anyone give you a birthday/Christmas gift. You get one for your birthday and one for Christmas.
Tom, that roof panel story sounds awful. Did the professional come? Is your heat working?
We're still waiting for the plumber. He's supposed to come btwn 9 and 11. We were able to turn the water back on, but only the cold. The leakage in the basement wasn't too terrible and stayed confined to the unfinished side. We pushed most of it into the drain next to the washer. It's pretty much dry now. When we bought the house we made the sellers purchase a one year home warranty policy, so any repairs are SUPPOSED to be covered under the policy. We'll see.
Happy Birthday Thomas
You'll have fun, I promise
Ask your Mom for a cake
One that she has to bake.
Ask Peter for your presents,
then go and shoot some pheasants!
(with your Dad)
Happy Birthday Graham!
happy for you, I am!
Blow out candles with Danny
have fun, don't fall on your fanny!
Ed, are you taking a quick nap in this photo??
Emily, your home warranty paper should be in with all your closing papers, just call and ask if your water heater is covered...it may be just for repairs and not replacement...if so, just make the guy reapir it (cause he may try to talk you into a new one).
Well, we did get a new water heater. The old one was 21 years old. While the plumber was working, some pipe broke so that had to be repaired. We had to pay $169 for a disposal fee and permit fee and some other fee, but that's not too bad for a brand new water heater. Now I've got a fresh pool of water on the floor form the broken pipe I have to deal with. And I am supposed to be packing because we're going to Fremont tomorrow.
Mike and I and our friends Barrie and Marie Parker are going to be "in charge" of giving out family care pgks. for Christmas tonight (from the Care Team)...there will be 125 families in to pick up their booty...I think that's alot, altho it's for the whole county...maybe I can score a turkey or terduckin!
Ed - I had no idea you were a part of the Insane Clown Posse.
Graham - happy belated birthday. I'll buy you a shot next time you are in. You're old enough, right?
Tom - same to you. Not about the shot but about the happy belated birthday. You do the name Tom proud. Keep it up.
Tom
Happy birthday, fellas. Ed, are you sleep standing? You look like me when I tend bar.
Here's my new blog:
http://desmondlavelle.wordpress.com/
Entertaining, Des.
You need to have your Uncle Joe as a guest columnist so he can relate the story of the dogs your parents had inherited while living on an acreage near Emmetsburg. These beasts were small scurvy mutts. They did something to a pig that was Steven Kingesque to a pig. At least I'm sure it was Steven Kingesque for the pig.
Tom
I need a proof reader. That or I should slow down.
Tom
Random notes:
1: Al Franken is winning in MN!
2: I know the poet who will read at the inauguration
3: I leave for Mexico on the morn.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a go a waissaling!
4: Des very funny! I didn't know about the dead cat. I thought that your mom was called "Anti-wolfdog." Perhaps you were just taking literary liberties.
P
Thanks, Pat and Tom. Pat, have fun in Mexico. Does this mean you're not coming up north? Tom, I want to hear more about these mongrels over Christmas.
I bought the URL:
catsmyfamilyhaskilled.com
can anyone pitch in on that?
Happy first day of winter. Negative 29 windchill here in Chicago.
Happy belated birthday, Tom and Graham! I posted a couple times and forgot to wish you a good one - hope they were great.
We went to Emma and Mary's piano recital Saturday morning, held in the Lutheran church basement. They each played a solo (Mary was singing the words as she played) and they played a duet together. Emma made a lovely curtsy as people clapped. They were very cute.
In regard to the latest Straub poll...we are headed to Mason City this morning. We're going to get it all done in one shot. We expect some big deals. We will eat at a large fast casual chain (the kids like them) but I will lobby hard against Crapplebees. Why pay for junk?
Tom
I hate applebees too. And Olive Garden except their potato soup and bruschetta.
Monica
How do you feel about Ruby Tuesdays, Fridays, Chilis? I think Applebee's thinks they're still the only eclectic casual dining chain in town.
Who's coming home for Christmas and when?
Stevo and I were done Christmas shopping about a week ago, except for just one more gift. We still need to get that just one more gift. But everything else is wrapped and under the tree. Maybe today.
Wow - I didn't check the Cedes Prayer Pages all weekend and all of a sudden she's home! I got tears in my eyes. I don't even know this kid. But thank God.
I bought my first Christmas gift!! One down...more to go, so glad I live in a shopping mecca.
If it's not at Kmart, you don't need it.
Farm stores have interesting stuff.
I agree, including all the Carhart stuff.
Yes, we did all our shopping in "one fell swoop." We ate at Buffalo Wild Wings...okay food...but, a fun time together. I am very happy with all we selected.
The 3 boys will each receive...one PS2 game, one book, one movie, underwear (what's Christmas without underwear?) and Donny is getting an antique gum ball machine (he likes to chew) and Eli and Liam a "Lord's of the Rings" Risk game...for them all to share. We have lots-o-stocking-candy and chapstix for the three of 'em and Liam and Donny get 2008 matching Teddy Bears and Eli gets a Colts Bear. Santa is giving them a wii system...I called a bunch of stores and they were sold out. So, Santa got them some of the components and will give them $$$ to get a system once it comes in.
My Aunt Mary gave me $100 last month for Eli and Liam. In light of Donny coming here...I split it up three-ways and they all get a K-Mart gift card...Aunt Mary will like this. We got Uncle Don a gift from Donny...a black 4 qt crock pot...cool.
I am excited to wrap tomorrow.
More excited for Donny to come on Thursday! :-)
I give Wild Wings a 7 out of 10 rating. This rating is for it's niche in the overall industry. Mostly for it's pricing on the kids meals (only $4) and the the dozens of tv's. The food was just all okay. But at least unlike Applebees you are not forced to look at fake memorabilia while chomping on over priced food - there are tv's within all sight lines with sports on. That at least is better than a fake Cagney movie poster dangling in your booth.
I had wings. So, so I thought. Their schpeel, as it were, is the choice of a dozen or so sauces you can have on your wings. Big deal. They don't even toss the wings in the sauce. They are just squirted with the sauce. I like lots of messy sauce on my wings.
But it's reasonably priced and the kids liked it. I guess I did too. So we'll go back.
Tom
I just reread my post. Just to clarify, my 7 rating is for it's niche in the fast casual sector of the industry.
One thing that bothers me is when a server kneels or squats next to your table when talking with you. Our server did that on one occasion. Also, he called me "Bud" which is annoying but not as bad as some of the things I've been called.
Tom
The Railway in CB has yummy wings. I think we're getting a Buffalo WW soon. Maybe it can go next to the new Hooters (still disgusted)
20 for Christmas Eve Eve dinner tonight - because Joe has to work tomorrow and Christmas. I think about 10 meats and Joe has been dispatched to Stoysich for sausage and to St. Stanislaus for Oplatki. Maybe a veggie or two.
Tomorrow we plan to have spagetti and meatballs in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the north, and Christmas day we'll have bean soup and potato soup. I have made it through an entire Christmas season without going to Walmart. If there's not one in your town you may not appreciate this herculean accomplishment. I did go to Hobby Lobby, though. The red hurricane lanterns are lovely.
Tom, at least you don't get called "hon" or "sweetie" by someone young enough to be your son. Actually I don't really mind.
At this moment Joe is chopping away at 2-inch-thick ice on our sidewalks so our guests don't break their necks tonight. What a good boy.
Tom, I hate Applebees, too. Students here that come from smaller towns are obsessed with it, along with Old Chicago. Old Chicago is still better, but not a "fancy restaurant" like many here would like to think. Another thing that amazes me is how much bacon is on stuff, especially at Chilis! Seriously, on everything. I don't like bacon, so we I asked for no bacon on my burger, the waiter was dumbfounded.
Thanks for the dog boarding help, Mary. And thanks for the suggestion to Holmes Animal Clinic last week, Tom and Nance. We have a doggy hotel reservation at the vet in Algona.
Happy birthday, Tom! Skateboarding dude!
Happy birthday, Graham!
wishing you happiness all year,
lisa
randy
emma
mary laurel
Someone at Randy's office is taking up a collecton for the HUMAN FUND to celebrate Festivus.
Randy threw in a buck and got a receipt with George Castanza's face on it.
He doesn't know where the money is going...
lisa
Just as Ryan and Grace were getting ready to load their van to come here, someone broke into it and stole Ryan's wallet, checkbook and $350 cash. They're coming anyway, after making all the requisite phone calls. Fortunately, they hadn't yet loaded their Christmas presents.
What a feast at the Jayjack's last night: ham, lamb, turkey, two kinds of sausage, kapusta, pierogie, broccoli bake, and on and on...
We all had such fun, although as always, I had a hard time getting through the platke.
Oscar and Ellen gave thier presents to Emma and Mary: An overnight sleeping bag and make-up. Mary has her makeup kit with her today at work with me! Emma was so excited to sleep with her sleeping bag (and her doll katheryne in her own bag) that she was jumping up and down last night.
Thanks to all the Jayjacks for a fun and yummy night!
lisa
We returned from Fremont last night around 8 and discovered Sam had a temp nearing 104. WE gave him tylenol which he puked up 15 min later. He must have ingested some though because his fever came down to around 101. We were up all night with him. TOday he is feeling much better. Maybe a low grade fever but no vomit. My question is - will we make everyone sick if we come tomorrow? Like I said, Sam is doing ok and none of the rest of us feels sick.
Unless anyone is immune-system impaired, I say go. Babies do that stuff all the time. Don't let him drink from anyone's beer.
Drive safely, everyone! Merry Christmas!
We're coming. If we have to quarantine ourselves in the cottage, we will. Maybe someone would be brave enough to bring us our presents and a plate of spag and deliver our presents.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all, my family and I will be in Whittemore/Algona tomorrow afternoon, can't wait!
Where are you all? Did you have good Christmases?
By Steve Schmadeke | Chicago Tribune reporter
8:07 PM CST, December 24, 2008
The debate over religious displays in the Illinois Capitol's rotunda took a farcical turn this week when a student at a Lake Forest boarding school put up an aluminum pole to honor Festivus.
For those in the dark, Festivus is a mock holiday popularized by a 1997 episode of "Seinfeld." The pole is a Christmas tree-like symbol, and semi-ironic celebrations of Festivus, usually observed on Dec. 23, include such traditions as the "Airing of Grievances" and the "Feats of Strength."
Michael Tennenhouse, 18, said he was home in Springfield on winter break, taking in impeachment hearings at the Capitol, when he came across a nativity scene, a menorah and an atheist group's display in the rotunda. The exhibits have stirred up controversies, all of which struck Tennenhouse as silly.
"This is grown adults arguing about something nobody could really prove," he said. "Religious displays should not be in public buildings."
So Tennenhouse filled out an application to put up the Festivus pole ("the lady burst out laughing"), which was approved the same day.
Tennenhouse found a blue aluminum pole (Festivus poles are to be "unadorned") that was part of a pool skimmer and stuck it in a Christmas tree holder.
Dan Zanoza, chairman of the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee, said the state's decision to allow the pole was "unfortunate."
"Festivus is nothing—it means nothing, it represents nothing," he said. "At least the atheist sign had a viewpoint."
I wonder what was in the atheist display. Pamphlets? Once you deny sacramentality, what do you use as symbols?
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